New Jersey Devils’ top 5 rookie seasons of all-time
By Kyle McKenna
With No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes expected to have a breakout first season, let’s look back on the New Jersey Devils’ top 5 rookie seasons of all-time.
On Oct. 5, 2019, a new era started for the New Jersey Devils. The Jack Hughes era, that is.
The Devils’ 2019 No. 1 overall draft-pick joined a team that’s only managed to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs twice since 2010, but one that’s drafted two first overall picks in the past three offseasons.
The reality is that Hughes is expected to have one of the best rookie seasons Devils’ fans have ever witnessed, which brings Fansided to ranking the top 5 New Jersey Devils’ rookie seasons of all-time.
5.) Nico Hischier
Yes, it’s fresh in Jersey’s minds, but the Devils’ former No. 1 overall draft pick (2017), Nico Hischier, has every reason to make this list after his memorable 2017-18 rookie campaign.
While it took seven games to record his first NHL goal that season, it seemed from that moment on Hischier played at a higher level than most 18-year-olds would in the NHL. His two-way play probably impressed more than not, but those characteristics didn’t hold back No. 13 from collecting points on the scoresheet, either.
The 6-foot-1 forward found the back of the net 20 times and added 32 assists for a total of 52 points, which stood for second-best on the team (Taylor Hall, 93 points). For a rebuilding Devils squad, it was safe to say that the “new kid on the block” exceeded expectations and his aura was a key reason why the Devils clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2011-12.
In addition to his defensive play and his offensive statistics, Hischier’s maturity on the ice and how he addressed the media was also impressive. His overall play and his positive characteristics were a sign of a new culture building in the right direction for a team that was well overdue for a makeover.
While Hischier didn’t win the Calder Trophy that season, his rookie campaign will always be remembered by the New Jersey faithful. For a fanbase that needed hope, they received it from a skater that was under the age of 20 and who made a smooth transition into a big spotlight.